Quiz: Howstuffworks

Which U.S. State Do You Truly Belong In?

Emily Maggrett

Image: Emilija Manevska/Moment/gettyimages

About This Quiz

Are you unhappy with where you live? Maybe you hate the town you've settled in or perhaps you're just bored by it. Either way, if you're considering a new adventure in another place, this is the quiz for you!

We're going to ask you a series of questions about your preferences, such as the kind of activities you enjoy, your favorite sports, your favorite music and your personal values. By digging deep and thinking hard about what you really enjoy in life, you'll be able to understand the kind of environment that would suit you best.

This is important because the United States is a huge place, and different states can have very divergent cultures. If you choose to live in a place that doesn't align with your values or facilitate the hobbies you enjoy, then it will be hard for you to find personal satisfaction. For example, a shy person who doesn't like the great outdoors may not fully appreciate California, while surfers shouldn't consider settling in Kansas, despite its good real estate values.

Life is too short to waste time living in a place you don't truly love. So are you ready to find out where you really belong? Get started by taking this quiz!

What kind of weather tends to make you happy?

I like a nice, mild climate. Nothing too extreme.

Tropical places just feel magical to me. I can handle it.

Plenty of sun is fine, just no humidity, thank you.

I like to notice the change in seasons - if it doesn't snow at least once a year, I miss it.

Which of these sports would you be most likely to participate in?

Swimming or surfing or skiing (on water or snow)

Maybe boating or fishing? I'm not all that sporty, but I don't mind rooting for folks who are

Rock climbing or maybe a little tennis/racquetball can be fun

Hiking or biking or trail running? Bring it on

Do you like to cook?

Is "making avocado toast" the same as cooking?

I love it!

I can make simple dishes like tacos or chili.

I'm great at making soups, stews and baked goods.

Which of these values is most important to you?

Self-expression

Honor

Independence

Self-respect

What kind of landscapes do you love most?

I love beaches and forests.

I like rivers and bayous.

I'm a big fan of deserts and mountains.

I like evergreen forests and winter seascapes.

What's your favorite hobby?

I like surfing.

I like reading.

I like camping.

I like woodworking.

Would you rather live in a city, a town or in the country?

I love big cities!

I'd like to live in a large town or medium-sized city.

I'd like to live off the grid but within driving distance of a small city or town.

I prefer small towns.

Do you like live entertainment?

I really dig live improv and stand-up.

I'm a big fan of live music and theatre.

I enjoy rodeos and country music.

I'm not a big fan of live entertainment.

What's your favorite body of water?

The Pacific Ocean

The Mississippi River

The Rio Grande

The Atlantic Ocean

Are you friendly?

Yeah!

I'm a warm yet polite person.

I'm casually friendly but a little suspicious of strangers.

Not really!

What kind of dwelling do you want to live in?

I'd like to live in an apartment with floor to ceiling glass windows.

I'd adore life in a funky old Victorian.

I'd like to live in a ranch house.

I'd love to live in a log cabin or classic Cape Cod.

Which industry would you like to work in?

I'd like to work for a tech or media brand.

I want to be an artist or musician.

I'd like to be in the military or run a restaurant.

I'd like to own my own general store or practice a skilled trade.

Where are you from, originally?

The Midwest

Florida

Washington State

The Northeast

If you could go back in time, which era would you return to?

The 1950s

The 1920s

The Wild West

Pioneer days

What kind of community do you want to live in?

I want to be surrounded by people who are expressive and open-minded.

I want to be surrounded by creative people who celebrate their own oddities.

I want to live in a community where people think for themselves and give their neighbors lots of space.

I want to live in a community where wholesome small town values prevail: politeness, morality and respect for tradition.

What's your preferred form of transportation?

I'd like to be able to use public transportation most of the time.

I like to drive.

I wish I got to ride my horse instead of driving.

I love sailing and would happily take a ferry to work.

What's your favorite kind of flower?

Golden poppy

Magnolia

Christmas cactus

Lupine

Would you rather live somewhere that's exciting but expensive or somewhere that's more affordable and less exciting?

I want to live somewhere that's exciting; I don't care how hard I have to work to afford it.

I'd like to live somewhere that's in the middle ... affordable enough that I can pay the rent but exciting enough that I don't regret moving there.

Depends on what you mean by "exciting". I think it would be more exciting to live in the wilderness than in New York City, and living in the wilderness is totally affordable.

I'd rather live in an affordable place than an exciting place. I want a peaceful life.

What's your favorite vegetable?

Artichokes

Okra

Bell peppers

Carrots

Do you want to live in a place where people are fashionable?

Yes. I adore fashion and would love to live somewhere where other people dress with as much care as I do.

I have a unique look and would appreciate living somewhere where people didn't stare at my clothes or think I was weird for dressing up.

I like funky hippie styles but don't want to live somewhere where I'm pressured to dress formally.

I don't like fashion; I dress for comfort, not to be stylish.

Would you rather eat Mexican food or French food?

I love taco trucks.

I'm really into French cuisine.

Mexican food is my favorite.

I love French breads and pastries.

Are you eccentric?

I do things my own way.

Sometimes people call me kooky.

I'm not eccentric exactly but I am very independent.

I'm a total weirdo but I like pretending I'm normal.

What's your favorite form of architecture?

Mid-Century Modern or Art Deco

Victorian or Greek Revival

Contemporary, Spanish or Pueblo Revival

Colonial or Craftsman

What kind of movies do you find the most interesting?

I prefer film noir.

I prefer dark dramas.

I like Westerns.

I'm in love with horror films!

Are you afraid of storms or natural disasters?

Nope! I secretly think earthquakes and forest fires are a little bit exciting.

Not really. I'm from a place where we regularly experience hurricanes, floods and tornadoes and I know how to deal with them.

Yes! I think natural disasters are terrifying and I don't like storms either.

I'm afraid of natural disasters but can handle stormy weather.

What's your political affiliation?

Progressive

I'm not very political.

Independent

Conservative

What's your biggest pet peeve?

People who are judgmental.

People who are rude.

People who try to tell me what to do.

People who don't mind their own business.

Do you care about whether the place you live has a good educational system?

It's somewhat important to me but I'm also willing to send my kids to private school if I have to.

No, as long there are good colleges or universities nearby, as I may want to get a degree.

No. I don't have kids and my days of going to school are over.

Yes. I have kids (or plan on having kids) and I'd like them to get a quality public school education.

Do you enjoy mystery novels?

Yes! I loved "L.A. Confidential".

Sure! I like Anne Rice's books; they have interesting mystery elements.

Yes. I like Tony Hillerman mysteries.

I love mysteries and can't read enough Agatha Christie. I also love "Murder She Wrote"!

If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?

Bojack Horseman from "Bojack Horseman"

Bill Dauterive from "King of the Hill"

Wile E. Coyote from "Looney Tunes"

Woody Woodpecker from "The Woody Woodpecker Show"

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